Pliable electrical fitting



F. W. HUDSON 'PLIABLE ELECTRICAL FITTINGS A ril 14, 1936.

5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 6, 1929 April 14, 1936. F. w. HUDSON 3 PLIABLE ELECTRICAL FITTINGS Filed July 6, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Li zzz ziizz/ gmnto'c April 14, 1936. F. w. HUDSON PLIABLII ELECTRICAL FITTINGS Filed July 6, 1929 s Sheets- Sheet s igW [fa/z) 77956403011 I Patented Apr. 14, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT oer-Ica- 2 Claim.

The present invention relates to soft, pliable,

resilient, and 'yieldable socket and plug fittings adapted for use independently or Jointly for providing fluid proof unbreakable electrical con- 5 ductor connections.

More specifically, the invention relates to socket and plug fittings constructed of molded soft rubber and adapted for detachable association there- -with of conductor terminals and contact elelo ments, the fittings being provided with pliable and yieldable portions, whereby the fittings are adapted not only for independent use, but for use jointly for providing conductor connectors which are fluid proof and which are immune to damage by impact and rough usage. l

The present'invention is an improvement over that disclosed in my co-pending application Serial No. 256,362 filed February 23, 1928 (Patent #1,724,592 of August 13, 1929) of which the present application is a continuation in part.

An object of the present invention is to provide soft, pliable and resilient socket and plug fittings adapted for the detachable association therewith tion of the terminals of conductor cordsvand conductors andcontact elements, the h and recesses being normally substantially smaller than the conductors, conductor cords and contact ele- 40 ments, whereby the=latterare firmly and tightly maintained in position by the yieldable reaction .of the resilient rubber ofjsaid fittings.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide soft rubber socket and plug fittings,

45 adapted for detachable association therewith, of

conductors and contact elements whereby conductor cords of any desired lengths canreadily be made up foruse to suit any particular job in 5 an expeditious manner thus avoiding considerablelossoftimeusuallyreouh'edinseekinga factory-made fitting having the desired proper conductor cord lengths.-

A still further object of the invention is {:5 to provide soft rubber socket plug fittings passages and recesses for the detachable recephaving preformed passages and recesses therein for the detachable reception of electrical cords, conductors and contact elements, the said pas I sages and recesses being so constructed that the other. I t s A still further object of the present invention is to provide flexible and yleldabla electrical socket and plug'fittings, adapted for detachable 15 association therewith ofconductor terminals and contact elements and adapted for inter-connection in such manner-as to provide a detachable connector for electrical conductors, whicheflfectively insulates the conductor terminals and contact elements from contact with fluid and prevents damage to said conductor terminals and contact elements from impacts to which said fittings are subject.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a flexible and yieldable plug fitting provided with preformed-recesses for the detachable reception of contact elements, said contact elements comprising contact, fingers mounted for adjustment in the materialto fit variously arranged socket plug finger receiving recesses. A still further object of the invention is to pro- 7 vide a soft rubber plug fi t ns Provided with preformed recesses for the detachable reception of contact elements and fuse members so that said elements and members are insulated from each other by the rubber of the plug.

' while socket and plug constructions have heretofore been provided in which the sockets and plugs were composed of soft rubber enlargements or bodies molded onto the ends of electrical conductors and around the contact elenients, these constructions do notpermit of the detachment of the socket and plug fittings for association with 4 other conductor cordlengths or for repair of parts inasmuch as the parts thereof are molded together in such manner that said bodies have tobe taken apart and destroyed in order to gain access to the conductors and contact elements.

, Furthermore, conductor cords of this type must necessarily be factory made and when once made up cannot be dis-assembled and the parts thereof 1 used again in order to provide diiferent length cords. In other words, these cords cannct'be ll ments at hand. I

By providing socket and plug bodies of soft. resilient rubber molded into particular form and shape in accordance with the present invention, I secure all of the advantages of the above noted types of rubber socket and plug devices without any of the above mentioned disadvantages and with many additional advantages.

The rubber socket and plug fittings of this invention are capable of being readily and easily made up into sockets and plugs and joined to conductor cords of various lengths on the job" to suit the particular requirements of the work and furthermore the socket and plug fittings are.

of such construction that when assembled with conductor cords and contact elements they can be used under any conditions without damage to the cord terminals or contact elements housed therein, and furthermore the socket and plug fittings in accordance with the present inven- Aion are of such construction that they can be expeditiously assembled with the terminals of conductor .cords of desired lengths and contact elements and interlocked to provide conductor cord connectors, in such manner that the connectors can be pulled through water, oil, etc. or subjected to impacts without affecting the cord terminals or contact elements which are housed within the socket and plug fittings which fittings provide a socket chamber for the contact elements as well as a yieldable cushion support therefor.

With the above mentioned and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel constructions and combinations of parts hereinafter described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and set forth in the claims hereto appended, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportion, size and minor details of construction within the scope of the claims may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

Reference will be had to the accompanying drawings for a detail disclosure of certain specific physical embodiments of my invention, and wherein:

- Figure 1 is an axial longitudinal sectional view of a socket fitting constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a similar view of a plug fitting constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 3 is an axial longitudinal sectional view of the socket and plug fittings respectively provided with electrical conductors .and contact elements, with the fittings in operative connection with each other.

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the plane of line 4-4 in Figure 3, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is an enlarged view partially in elevation and partially in axial longitudinal section of one of the plug fitting contact members.

Figure 6 is an axial longitudinal sectional view of the socket fitting provided with contact elements and shown in use with a lamp.

Figure '7 is an axial longitudinal sectional view of the plug fitting provided with contact members in engagement with a wall socket plug.

Figures 8, 9 and 10 are end views of the plug fitting indicated in Figure 7 as seen in the direction of lines 8-4 showing different positions of the movable contact members.

made "on the job to suit the particular require- Figure 11isaviewsimilartoFigures8,9and 10 showing a single contact member.

Figure 12 is a view similar to Figures 8, 9 and 10 disclosing modified forms of contact members.

Figures 13 and 14 are side elevational views of modified forms of cylindrical socket fitting contact members.

Figure 15 is a plan view of a ring member adapted for use with any of the cylindrical socket fitting contact members as illustrated in Fig-' ures 3, 13 and 14.

Figures 16, 17 and 18 are central longitudinal sectional views of modified forms. of socket fitting center contact members.

Figure 19 is a view partly in elevation and partly in longitudinal section of a modified form of plug fitting contact member.

Figure 20 is a side elevational view of a modified form of socket fitting.

Figure 21 is an axial longitudinal sectional view of a further modified form of socket fitting.

Figure 22 is a substantially central longitudinal sectional view of a modified form of plug fitting adapted for association therewith of safety fuses.

Figure 23 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view on a plane represented by line 23-23 in Figure 22.

- Figure 24 is a broken vertical sectional view on line 24-24 of Figu e 23.

Figure 25 is a plan view of a fuse member.

Figure 26 is a fragmental axial longitudinal sectional view of a socket fitting disclosing a modified form of ring member for co-operation with the cylindrical socket fitting contact member.

Figure 27 is a perspective view of the ring member disclosed in Figure 26.

Figure 28 is an axial longitudinal sectional view or a further modified form of socket fitting center contact member.

In carrying out my invention I provide plug.

and socket fittings of soft, and yieldable rubber, which fittings are molded in order to provide recesses and passages therein of definite form for permitting the detachable association therewith of contact elements and electrical conductors in an easy and expeditious manner.

As indicated in Figure 1 the socket fitting in a preferred embodiment thereof in accordance with my invention comprises a unitary elongated member II which is preferably molded from a very high percentage of the purest and toughest rubber available, the rubber having incorporated therein chemically pure elements in order to give it the maximum resistance to abrasion, light, heat, water, acid, oil, gases and extreme low temperatures. In the molding-process the rubber is preferably subjected to an exceedingly high pressure for insuring relative solidity and consequently long life.

The socket fitting II is so formed in the molding thereof as to comprise a body portion ii, a socket portion l3 and a. relatively long extension I4. As indicated, body portion i2 is of substantially hemi-spherical formation and is provided with a reinforcing flange ii at the juncture thereof with the base of socket portion l3. Body portion l2 merges into extension it through a knob like strengthening portion i6. Extension I4 is further provided with a reinforcing terminal bead l1.

The socket portion I3 is definedby a relatively long skirt I 9 provided adjacent the outer end thereof and exteriorly thereof with a locking aosaeao adjacent to and inwardly of bead 2|.

The skirt I9 is preferably exteriorly cylindrical from its free end to the bead 2| as indicated at 23 and is tapered so as to enlarge in diameter from recess 22 to flange l3 as indicated at 24. The inner wall of the skirt I3 is cylindrical from the outer end of the skirt to an intermediate point as indicated at 23, from which the inner surface or wall of skirt I9 is tapered so as to enlarge in diameter as indicated at 21, to a laterally offset cylindrical wall 23, which, with a portion of wall 21, defines theouter wall of a circular channel 29, theinner wall of which is defined-by body portion l2. Theskirt l3 at the outer end thereof is provided with an interior flange 3|, as well as a second flange 32 spaced inwardly of flange 3|, defining a recess 33 therebetween.

The member II is provided in the molding thereof with passages 35 and 33 in the body portion l2 thereof which communicate at adjacent ends with the socket defined by skirt I 9 and which at their opposite ends communicate with the inner end of a bore 31 formed in extension i4 in the molding thereof, the bore 31 opening through the free end of extension l4.

Thepassage 35 opens into the socket space through body portion l2 centrally thereof and is provided with successively enlarged portions 39 and 4i adjacent the socket end thereof. Passage 33 opens into the socket space closely adjacent channeL-29 substantially diametrically opposite an interruption in the channel defined by the inner wall of skirt i9 merging directly into the outer horizontal wall of body portion l2 for a slight circumferential extent as clearly indicated in Figure 4 and represented'at 42.

The inner end of bore 31 is enlarged in the form of a frusto-conical portion 43 with the base thereof disposed inwardly and into which passages33 and 33 open. As clearly indicated in -Figure l the inner or base end of portion 43 is disposed inwardlyof the junction between body l2 andlportion l3 for a purpose later described,

and extension I4 is tapered from portion l3 to the terminal bead ll thereof for providing gradually increasing flexibility from the base to the free end thereof.

Thesocket fitting II as hereinabove described and as illustrated in Figure 1 is adapted to have electri cal c'ontactelements and conductors removably associated therewith as indicated in Figures 3 and 6 for providing current for a'plug, lamp, etc. adapted to be connected therewith.

In providing member II with contact elements and conductors, a conductor cable suchas that squarely adjacent the end thereof leaving the insulated conductors 43 projecting therefrom after ,which the insulation is stripped from conductors 43 for a substantial distance leaving the insulation thereon for a distance slightly less than the leneth of passages 33 and 33. .One of the conductors 43 is adapted to extend through passage. 35 and the other conductor 43 is adapted to extend through passage 33. The conductor 43 for passage 33 is provided with a contact member 41,

with the end of conductor 43 the insulated end of the conductor is inserted in the larger portion of the stepped bore 49 with the bared portion of the conductor extending through the smaller portion of stepped bore 49 after which the end of the bared conductor is bent over and may be soldered, whereupon cap 3| is screwed onto member 43 into clamping engagement with the bent over end of conductor 43.

Can 3| maybe provided with a transverse aperture 32 for the reception of the end of a .wire, by means of which and an extension of the other conductor 43, both conductors are pulled into member I I from the outer end of extension l4 for drawing conductors 43 into the passages 33 and 33 with the members 43 and 5| of contact member 41 seated in the successively enlarged portions 39 and 4| of passage 35 respectively and with the bared portion of the other conductor 43 vextending outwardly adjacent channel 29 with which channel passage 33 opens by cutting away the comparatively thin wall separating passage 33 and channel 29 for exposing the bared conductor 43 at this point.

The bared portion of conductor'43 in passage 33 is cut off leaving a suflicient length'thereof to project outwardly from the base of channel 29 for contacting engagement with an internally threaded cylindrical contact member 33 detachably positioned within the skirt l9 with the base thereof disposed in channel 29, the member 33 being provided with a rectangular cutout 34, see Figure 4, at the base thereof for receiving the portion 42 interrupting channel 29 for preventing rotation of member 33 in socket defined by skirt l9. The bared conductor 46 is yieldably maintained in engagement with contact member 33 by means of a split spring ring member 56 which normally seats in one of the depressions between two adjacent rounded threads of member 33 adiaccnt tended between member 33 and ring 53 by springing ring 33 away from member 33 by a suitable tool' for providing passage therebetween after which the spring 331s released for firmly gripping the bared conductor 43.

' While the center contact 41 has been described as being assembled with the end of the corresponding conductor 43, prior to the introduction thereof into e 33, it is entirely feasible to seat the portion 43 oi member 41 in the enlarged portion 39 of passage 33 prior to the introduction of the conductors whereupon the extended bared portion of the corresponding conductor 43' is extended through the smaller portion of bore 49 and -drawn upwards simultaneously with the other. conductor 43 until the end of insulated portion of conductor 43 occupies the enlarged portion of bore 43, after which the bared portion of conductor 43 is cut of! adjacent the outer end of member 43, and bent over into contact with the outer end thereof afterwhich the cap 3| is threaded onto member 43 into binding engagement with the bent over portion of conductor 43. While the end .of conductor '43 may be soldered to member 43 the construction of contact member is such that a good hold and contact is provided by tightly screwing cap 5I onto member 43, thus avoiding any real necessity for soldering operations though I such may be employed, if desired.

The socket fitting II is adapted for detachable connection with conductors of different constructions but it is preferable to employ rubber encased conductor cords, and it is highly important that the insulated conductors 43 as well as the rubber covering therefor be of substantially greater diameter than passages 35 and 33 and bore 31 respectively, such that upon drawing the conductors into position as above indi ted the passages 35 and 33 and bore 31 will be stretched through yielding of the soft rubber of which member I I is constructed whereby the conductors will be frictionally and snugly engaged by the walls of passages 35 and 33 and bore 31 by the reaction of the rubber tending to assume its normal condition. By providing the enlarged frustoconical portion 43 of bore 31 provision is made for a more uniform divergence of conducwrs 43 from the cut Lil end of cable 45 thus greatly reducing the tendency to breaking the cables 43 due to sharp bends therein. Furthermore in pulling cable-45 into position in bore 37 the rubber comprising the cover of cable 45 is compressed into the enlarged portion 43 of bore 31 thus greatly reducing the liability of cable 45 being pulled out of bore 37. Due to the base or wider portion of the enlargement 43 being disposed inwardly of the juncture of body I2 and portion I3 the walls of portion 43 will more readily yield adjacent the base or wider portion thereof due to the restricted cross section of member II at this point whereby the end of cable 45 disposed in the portion -33 of bore 31 will tend to provide a head which will greatly resist the pulling of cable 45 from bore 31.

The external diameter of cylindrical contact member 53 is substantially equal to the outer diameter of channel 23, whereby upon insertion of the member 53 in the socket defined by skirt I3 the socket is considerably enlarged with a result-' ing tension in the sk rt I3, thus imparting a yieldable reaction on the outer surface of member 53 resulting in a snug fit between the skirt and said member. .Due to the diverging wall 21 the directlon of the yieldable reaction on member 53'will be slightly toward the base thereof, thus tending to maintain member 53 in position within skirt I3 with the outer end thereof disposed within and in engagement with the inner wall of flange 32.

It will therefore be seen that while the conductors and contact elements can readily be incorporated in the molded fitting I I with comparative facility, the construction of member I I is such as to aid substantially in the retention of these members. The reinforcing flange I5 of member II is disposed laterally opposite channel 29 thus oifering substantial reinforcement at this point..

From the foregoing it will be seen that a soft rubber socket fitting is provided for removably recsiving conductors and contact elements and that the fitting is so constructed that the conductors associated therewith will not be subjected to sharp bends tending to break same and that due to the tapered extension I4 the fitting II can be moved from one position to another without liability to sharp bends in the cable 45.

The internally threaded contact member 53 is adapted for screw connection therewith of an ordinary socket plug 3I, for providing current for various devices or for the attachment of an extension cable by means of a soft rubber contact equipped plug fitting comprising a part of the present invention). and hereinafter described. The member 53 is also adapted for receiving the contact portion 32 of a lamp 33 as indicated in Figure 6, and when using a lamp as indicated in this figure the flanges 3| and 32 yieldably engage the lamp 33 adjacent the contact portion thereof for forming an effective water seal as indicated at 34 in Figure 6, with this construction a partial vacuum may be formed in recess 33 thus providing a tight contact between lamp 33 and skirt I3. The stretching of the rubber further insures a sealing contact with the lamp.

In Figure 13 is illustrated a modified form of cylindrical contact member, which may be substituted for the contact 53 and which comprises a coil spring section 33 with the convolutions thereof in contact and of a length corresponding to that of member 53 for disposition in the socket space defined by skirt I3 with the opposite ends thereof in contact with the base of channel 23 and the inner edge of flange 32.

In the use of this form of contact member channel 23 may be formed continuous and one end of the strand defining the coil spring section 33 turned over to provide a projection 3'! adapted to seat in body I2 at the bottom of channel 29 for preventing rotation of member 33.

By the .use of a contact member of this con- V struct on a spiral groove is provided by the strand defining the member for the reception of a socket plug, lamp, etc. and the strand defines an external spiral projection also which materially'assists inhold ng the member 35 in contact with the inner wall of skirt I3.

In Figure 14 is disclosed a still further modified form of cylindrical contact member corresponding to member 33, and which comprises a pair of half cylindrical sections 33 with the contacting edges thereof provided With-tongues and grooves 33 and II for interfitting asindicated in Figure 14, the sections 33 at corresponding edges thereof beirm provided with aligning cut outs for definng a recess 12 for receiving the channel interrupting portion 42 for preventing turning of the contact member.

The contact members constructed in accordance with this embodiment of the invention can readily be stamped out of comparatively heavy metal and the sections thereof assembled in the socket space within skirt I3 the compress'on of which will hold the interfitting sections in positon.

In Figures 16;-17 and 18, are illustrated modifled forms of center contact members, which may separately be substituted for contact member 41 illustrated in Figure 3.

The contact member I4 comprises a one piece metallic member embodying cylindrical sections I5 and I3 for engagement in the successively enlarged portions 33 and 4| of passage 35 and a contact head portion II. The m'ember i4 is provided with a central bore 13 extending therethroughfor the reception of the end of the bared conductor 43 which conductor may be inserted in bore 13 after the contact member I4 is positioned in passage 35 and soldered to member 14 at the end thereof, or the member 14 may be assembled with the bared end of conductor 43 and pulled into position through bore 31 and passage 35 by means of -a wire attached to member 14 through an aperture therein similar to member 41.

, The contact member 3 I illustrated in Figure 17, corresponds to member I4 but instead of having a bore extending therethrou h is provided with comprises an elongated unitary soft and pliable stepped recesses 82 and 83 for receiving the insulated and bared portions of conductor 48, the end of thebared conductor being inserted in recess 83 after pouring molten solder therein for securing the conductor to the contact member M. The contact member 8| is, preferably, provided with a transverse aperture 84 for receiving a wire for pullirg contact member 8I with the conductor 46 connected therewith into passage 35.

The contact member 85 illustrated in Figure 18" comprises a body portion 88 of stepped external configurationfor seating engagement in enlarged portions 38 and 4| of passage 35 and is provided with a central bore 81 openingv through one end thereof and communicating with a threaded bore 88 of considerably larger diameter opening through the other end of member 85.

In the use of this form of contact member the body portion 88 is pressed into portions 38 and 4| of passage 35 prior to the introduction of the conductors 48 and the bared portion of conductor 48 for passage 35 is pulled through bores 81 and 88 until the conductor is in position in fitting II, after which the projecting bared portion is cut oif and the end of the conductor bent over in the base of bore 88, after which a contact screw 88 is threaded into bore 88 in firm contact with the end of conductor 48 for holding same in po sition in contact member 85.

This form of contact member avoids soldering operations and facilitates the assemblyof the conductors with the fitting II.

The socket fitting provided with the conductors and contact elements as above described, while being well adapted for attachment therewith of various devices as lamps or socket plugs for attachment of different contact bearing conductors is further well adapted for co-operation with a similarly constructed soft rubber plug fitting for providing a connection between adjacent ends of a pair of cables which will be substantially immune to damage by contact with oil, water etc.

and which also will be capable of withstanding rough usage without impairing the efficiency thereof.

The plug fitting 82 is indicated in Figure 2 and rubber member molded in the same manner as the socket fitting II and is of the general configuration of fitting II. whereby the cost of manufacture is substantially reduced as well as providing a neater electrical connector embodying the socket and plug fittings II and 82 when same are substantially symmetrical as illustrated.

The plug fitting 82 comprises a body portion 83, a substantially long outwardly tapered ex tension 84 and a skirt portion 85.

The body portion 83 is similar to body portion I2 of the socket fitting II being substantially of hemi-spherical formation and merging into extension 84 through a knob-like portion 88. The skirt portion 85 converges outwardly from body portion 83 and is provided on the free end thereof with a reinforcing and securing bead 81; 4i channel 88 is provided in body portion 83 adjacent The fitting 82 is further provided by suitable 1 cores in the molding thereof with a bore I8I cen-- trally of extension '84 with one end of the bore opening through the free end of extension 84 and the opposite end thereof terminating in a frustoconical enlargement I82 within the knob-like portion 88. The extension 84 tapers inwardly toward the free end thereof for providing gradually increasing flexibility of said-extension from knob like portion 86 to the free end of extension 84 which is provided with a reinforcing bead I83.

Fitting 82 is further provided during molding thereof with a pair of passages I84 which communicate with enlargement I82 from which they diverge to a point beyond knob-like portion 88,

from where they extend in parallel relation and communicate at their opposite ends with the space within skirt portion 85. Each of the passages I84 is provided in the parallel portion thereof with spaced enlargements I85, I88 and I8! of substantially equal diameter with the enlargement I88 opening through body portion 83 for a purpose later referred to.

The plug fitting 82 as disclosed is adapted to have incorporated therewith conductors and contact elements in an easyand expeditious manner which is preferably effected as follows.

An end of a cable or rubber encased conductor I88 (Figure 3) is cut ofl squarely leaving conductors III projecting therefrom, after which the insulation is stripped from the ends of conductors III for a distance from the ends thereof so that the insulation remains thereon for a distance substantially equal to the length of pas-' sages I84 from enlargement I82 to the opposite end of enlargement I85 in passage I84. The bared ends of conductors III are now inserted in recesses H2. of metallic inserts H3 in which recesses molten solder. is poured for soldering the ends of conductors III therein, the conductors III being assembled with the inserts II3 so that the ends of the insulated portions thereof fit with in enlarged recesses I I4 in inserts I I3 under considerable compression, the recesses 'I I4 communieating with recesses H2 at adjacent ends thereof and at the opposite ends thereof opening through theends of inserts 8, where the recesses 4 are provided with flared or diverging-walls, as indicated at II5 for preventing sharp-bends in conductors Ill and possible injury thereto.

The inserts II3 as indicated in Figure 5 com-,- prise enlarged opposite end portions Ill and Ill integral with an intermediate reduced portion 8, the recesses H2 being disposed in portions 8 centrally thereof and the recesses 4 bein disposed centrally of enlarged portions 1.

The enlarged portions m are "formed with spherical bottomed recesses I2I for the reception of balls I22 which are maintained in recesses I2I for universal movement therein by bending or peening the walls of recesses I2I inwardly as indicated in Figure 5. I a

The halls I22 are preferably formed integrally with cylindrical portions I23 provided withv contact fingers I24 which, .as in usual practice, are provided adjacent the free ends thereof with small apertures I25.

After having connected the ends of conductors III with the inserts H3 in the manner above set forth a wire is selected, the ends thereof secured T in apertures I25with the loop portion thereof disposed within skirt. 8'5 and upon grasping the loop portion of the wire and pulling thereon the con-' tact fingers m, inserts m, conductors in and' cable I88 are drawn into the position indicated in Figure 3 with the portions 'I I1 and I II of inserts I II and portions I29 disposed in enlargements IIII, I96 and I9! respectively, and with the insulated portions of conductors I I I disposed in the diverging portions of passages I94 and with cable I99 disposed in bore II" with the outer end thereof tightly compressed in the flared enlargement I92 of bore IOI.

The cable and conductors selected for use with the fitting 92 should be of such diameter that upon inserting same in bore IIII and passages I04 the walls thereof will be appreciably expanded whereby the yieldable reaction of the rubber composing fitting 92 will exert substantial pressure on the cable and conductors for aiding in the retention thereof. The inserts Ill and portions I23 are of substantially greater diameter than passages I04 and enlargements I95, I99 and Ill whereby these parts are maintained in position by the reaction of the rubber which is deformed by expanding the walls of passages I94 upon inserting the inserts II! therein.

From the foregoing it will be seen that a plug fitting is provided adapted for ready incorporation therewith of contact elements and conductors thus providing a ready yieldable plug-in connection for one end of a conductor or cable in which the metallic contact elements and conductor wires are housed in such manner as to be substantially immune to injury by rough usage such as dropping thereof or subjecting same to heavy impacts in any manner.

The plug fitting 92 provided'with the conductors and contact elements as disclosed is well adapted for plugging-in with the ordinary socket plug GI which may be located .in various positions such for example in a wall as indicated at I29 in Figure 7.

In using the fitting 92 in this manner the skirt portion 95 is rolled back over the outer surface of body portion 93 as indicated in said figure, the channel 99 greatly facilitating the rolling back of the skirt 9!.

The skirt 99 is, as indicated in Figure 2, relatively thin and by the provision of channel 99 the skirt can be rolled back as indicated with substantially little effort. The reinforcing flange 99 resists the rolling back of skirt 95 thus tending to maintain it in normal position as indicated in Figure 2, but, when the skirt is rolled back the reinforcing bead 91 is stretched, and then due to its tending to assume normal position will contract sufiiciently around the body of the fitting to hold the skirt in its retracted position, as indi-- cated on the drawings.

While the contact equipped p fitting 92 is adapted for difierent uses as above indicated, it

is especially adapted for co-operationwith the socket fitting II for providing a water and oil proof cable connector as illustrated in Figure 3.

As indicated in this figure, the improved soft rubber socket and plug fittings II and 92 provided with their respective conductors and contact elements in the manner above described are utilized for providing connections in conductor cables in an expeditious manner, whereby difie'rent lengths of cables can be connected to suit any commercial requirements and which connections are water and oil proof and not subject to damage by impact or other rough usage to which devices of this character are usually subjected.

In making a connection as above indicated, and, as illustrated in Figure 3, the socket and plug fittings II and 92 are connected with the ends of the cables 45 and I99 and provided with theirrespective contact elements in the manner above set forth.

An ordinary socket plug I is screwed into the cylindrical contact member 53 with the center contact thereof in bearing engagement with contact member 41, as indicated in said figure. In screwing plug BI into member 53 the plug is turned slightly beyond the position where it just contacts with contact member 41 thus pushing contact member 41 slightly inwardly as indicated in Figure 3 against the yieldable body portion I2 resulting in a yieldable contact between plug BI and contact member 41 due to the expansive action of the slightly deformed rubber body portion I2.

After positioning plug 9| as indicated the plug fitting 92 is grasped and the skirt portion 95 retracted as indicated in Figure 7 after which the contact fingers I24 are entered into the recesses in plug BI and the retracted skirt 95 pushed to its open position resulting in the skirt gripping the outer cylindrical surface 23 of skirt I9 of the socket fitting II with the reinforcing head 91 of skirt 95 seated in recess 22 in compressive engagenections between the plug inserts II 3 and the I contact fingers I24, the contact fingers which are as in usual practice flattened members may be turned about their longitudinal axes to different positions as indicated in Figures 8, 9 and 10 in order to fit socket plug recesses which are formed in different angular relations.

As indicated in Figure 8 the fingers I 24 are 1 disposed in parallel relation for engagement in similarly arranged recesses in a socket plug.

In Figure 9 the fingers I24 are disposed at right angles to each other for engagement in similarly disposed socket plug recesses, and in Figure 10 the fingers I24 are parallel but in a position at right angles to that indicated in Figure 8.

While the contact fingers I24 have been indicated as two in number in accordance with the usual practice the plug fitting 92 may be forme for association therewith of a single contact finger as indicated in'Figure 11 or three contact fingers may be. employed as indicated in Figure 12,

the number of contact fingers employed depend-- ing upon the particular use to which the plugs are to be put.

As some socket plugs are provided with contact finger receiving recesses which are circular instead of fiat in cross section, the contact fingers I24 may be formed circular in cross section and split at right angles longitudinally thereof as indicated in Figure 12 for providing yieldable contacting engagement with the plug recess walls.

In accordance with the construction disclosed in Figures 3 and 5, when the ends of conductors III are soldered in the inserts I I3, it is desirable to pull the inserts' H3 and contact fingers I24 'through the bore II'II and passages I94 in assembly thereof with the rubber fitting 92. This may be avoided by the use of the construction illustrated in Figure 19 in which the solder connection is eliminated.

iii:

anss In accordance with this embodiment of the in- .vention, inserts 3' are provided each comprising an enlarged end portion I3I, provided with a bore I32, for receiving the insulated end of con- 5 ductor III, a reduced portion I 33 provided with a bore I 34 for receiving the bared end of conductor I I I and which at one end thereof communicates with bore I32 and at the opposite end 7 thereof is enlargedand threaded as indicated at I33 for engagement by a screw I33 integral with a ball socket head I31 inwhich ball I22 is positioned in the manner above described with reference to Figure 5.

In accordance with this construction, the insert 3' may conveniently be positioned in the enlarged portions of passages I34 prior to the introduction of-conductors I I I therein, the bared portions of which may be extendedup through bores I32 and I34. The bared portions of the conductors I II should preferably be cut oil to terminate adjacent the screw threaded ends of inserts II3' after conductors III are in final position. The ends of the bared conductors may then be spread and the finger bearing heads I31 attached by turning screws I33 into threaded bores I34 into binding engagement with the spread ends of conductors III. In order to attach the heads I31 from within skirt 35 a suitable tool will of course be employed for engaging heads I31.

The complete structure illustrated in Figure 19 may, of course, be assembled through the bore I3I and passages I34 in the same manner as above disclosed with reference to the construction of Figure 5, if such procedure is desired.

33. The socket fitting II or plug fitting 32 may be modified as indicated in Figure 20 in which the extension I4 and knob-like portion I3 are in the form of a handle I, whereby the socket member may be conveniently carried from place to place particularlywhen having a lamp associated therewith, the socket member being otherwise of thesame construction as the preferred form illustrated in Figure 1.

While the socket member II providedwith the internally threaded contact member 33 is adapted for use with lamps or any other electrical devices provided with a threaded contact member, it may be desirable to-provide a socket fitting with which a lamp cannot be used but which is especially adapted for cooperation with the plug fitting 32 for providing cableconnections in the manner illustrated in Figure 3, whereby the socket fitting 1 provided with the conductors and contact elements will always be in readiness for connection with the plug fitting when it is desired to make a connection which otherwise may be used with a lamp thus causing great inconvenience when it is desired to use it for making a cable connection. 7 A socket fitting for this purpose is illustrated in Figure'21-and it comprises the extension l4 and knob-like portion I3 of substantially the same form and dimensions as the similar portions represented in Figure 1; but in accordance with this modification of the invention the skirt I3 is eliminated and a body portion I42 provided, which includes the body portion I2 represented in Fig.- ure 1 and extends outwardly a distance substantialiy equal in length to that of skirt I3, having a 75 according to this form of theinvention is similar passages I44, which, at adjacent ends thereof,

" with the corresponding ends of recesses I43.

externally to that indicated in I 'igurel, but the socket defined by skirt I 3 is eliminated. The socket fitting in accordance with this form of the invention is provided in the molding thereof with a pair of recesses I43 disposed in the body 5 portion I42 in transversely spaced relation and of a length preferably slightly less than thesocket in the fitting I I. The fitting is provided with a bore 21 similar to that disclosed in Figure l, and with 3 communicate with bore 31, from which they di- 1 verge and communicate at their opposite ends with recesses I43. The fitting is provided in the base end thereof with apertures I43 which communicate The recesses I43 are adapted to have removably positioned therein contact elements which may be of any desired form but which as illustrated comprise eacha metal strip I43 substantially equal to the length of recess I43 and adapted go to engage one side thereof as indicated in Figure 21. Secured to strip I43 by means ofa screw I41 is the oifset base portion of a yieldable contact member I43 which contact members are adapted to be engaged by the contact fingers I24 carried a. by the plug fitting 32.

The conductors and contact members are incorporated in the socket fitting in this form of the invention by selecting a cable in the same manner as above disclosed with reference to'so Figure 3, securing the bared ends of the conductors to the contact elements by means of screws I41 after which the ends of a wire-are engaged with the contact elements and by means of which the contact elements and associated conductors are pulled into position in the passages in the socket fitting.

In Figures 22 to 25 inclusive is disclosed a further modified form of the plug fitting which is constructed for the detachable reception of contact elements and fuse members, thus providing a plug construction having a safety factor. As indicated in Figures 22 and 23 the plug fitting I3I is similar in form to plug fitting 32 embodying substantially the same elements but modified to the extent of the contact recesses and conductor passages. According to this form of the invention the body portion 33 of thefitting is provided with recesses I32 for the detachable reception of contact elements I33 embodying inserts I34 provided with threaded'recesses for the detachable reception of screws I33 integral with ball socket members I33, in which balls I22 are universally mounted in the manner above disclosed and as indicated in Figures 5 and 19. The 5 body portion 33 is further provided with a pair of recesses I31, in each of which is detachably positioned a conductor terminal securing member I33 embodying a body portion I33 provided with a threaded bore I33 forthe reception of-the conductor terminal and which terminal is maintained in positionby a screw "I. It will therefore be seen that in accordance with this embodiment of the invention, current is supplied to themembers I33 from the conductors connected therewith. The members I33 and elements I33 are electrically connected by fuse members I 33 of usual construction, see Figure 3, the one recessed end portion I34 of which is respectively secured between inserts I34 and members I33, and the other and between members I 33 .and screws I3I, :asclearly indicated in Figures 22 and 23. In order to facilitate the assembly of the fuse members I33 the body portion 33 is slit between recesses I32 and III whereby the portions I33 73 of fuse members I 43 may be pushed downwardly through the slits, which slits as clearly indicated in Figures 23 and 24 will, due to the fiowing character of the soft rubber, close asindicated at I61 in Figure 24, thus completely insulating the fuse members.

This construction provides a safety plug fitting by the utilimtion of the fuse members and by the provision of the removable members I58 and screws IOI as well as the slits a fuse member can readily be replaced when necessary.

In Figures 26 and 27 is illustrated a modified form and as at present, a preferred form of ring member for securing the bared conductor 46 in detachable position in engagement with member In accordance with this embodiment of the invention, a ring member in the form of a relatively thin band 58' is provided. The band 58' is as indicated preferably of a width equal to the depth of channel 28 and is split with the free ends thereof in spaced relation to receive portion 42 therebetween in the same manner as respects ring member 58. I

The band 56' is constructed of brass or any other desirable metal and in the assembly of the socket fitting parts the band is inserted within channel 2! with the inner cylindrical surface thereof in firm engagement with the wall of body portion l2 defining the inner wall of channel 29 and with the spaced ends thereof disposed on oppomte sides of portion 42.

After positioning band it as indicated conductor 46 is drawn inwardly between band BI and the adjacent wall of body portion [2, after which the bared conductor 48 is cut ofl a short distance beyond band It leaving sufiicient length of conductor to extend over the top and outer face of band 58'. The extended portion of conductor 4B is bent outwardly and downwardly over band 58' as indicated, thus making contact with both opposite faces of the band. After dis- D sing band 58' and conductor 46 in the manner described the cylindrical contact member 53 is pushed into position within socket portion l3 whereby the end of conductor 48 on the outer side of band 58' is tightly clamped in position between band and member I! with the conductor substantially flattened for providing good contact.

The inner end of member It is preferably counter-bored as indicated at 53' whereby upon inward movement of member Bl the projecting end of conductor 44 is forced downwardly into contact with the outer wall of band 56.

By the provision of the band 58' the assembly of conductor 46 and contact member 53 is greatly facilitated and furthermore a much greater contact area is obtainedby extending the bared conductor 48 along both sides as well as over one edge of band I! and between band 58' and member 53 in substantially flattened condition as A further modified form of center contact member is illustrated in Figure 28 which comprises a body portion 48' provided with a central bore 49' extending therethrough. The body portion 48' is provided with a groove 50 parallel with bore 4! and communicating therewith through a slot 50' adjacent the outer end of body portion 58'. The bared end of conductor 48 is, drawn through bore 49' and is then bent outwardly through slot 50' and downwardly in groove 50.

After positioning the body portion 48' with the conductor terminal connected therewith a cap closed a substantially large surface contact isprovided between the terminal of conductor 46 and the body portion u' and the conductor is secured to the contact member against separation therefromeven under abnormal pulling forces on the conductor. This form of contact member provides not only for the ready attachment of the conductor thereto but provides a solderless connection for the conductor. v

From the foregoing disclosure it will be seen that-novel socket and plug fittings are provided which are salable as complete units adapted for detachable engagement with conductor cords and contact elements "on the Job whereby conductor cords provided with socket or plug terminals or both as-weli as conductor cord connectors can readily be provided with any desired length of cord to suit the particular requirementsthus eliminating the otherwise lost time and inconvenience occasioned with types of fittings heretofore employed which were formed integral with the cords, and which cords were of given lengths which may not suit the particular circumstances for'which a cord is required.

It will furthermore be seen that the socket and plug fittings of the present invention house the conductor terminals and contact elements in a fluid tight manner and. due to the soft rubber construction of said fittings the contact elements housed therein are cushioned against damage by impact whereby the fittings are well adapted for use under all circumstances.

While I have disclosed certain specific embodiments of -my invention, they are to be considered as illustrative only, and not restrictive, since the'scope of the invention is defined by the subjoined claims rather than by the foregoing specific disclosure.

What I claim is:

1. In combination, a terminal fitting of soft and pliable material, a plurality of electrical conductors extending through preformed passages in said material and contact elements for each of said electrical conductors, each of said contact elements being inserted in separated shouldered recesses in said material and insulated from the other thereby, and one of said contact elements comprising a sleeve-like socket member and a split ring to clamp the ends of a conductor to said sleeve-like socket member.

2. An electrical connection comprising male and female terminal bodies formed of soft rubher, contact members mounted in said bodies, the contact members mounted in one of said bodies being adapted for engagement with the contact members mounted in the other of said bodies, said terminal bodies having portions thereof formed for telescopic engagement including a plug portion on said male body and a resilient skirt portion on said female body adapted to grip said plug portion, and means for preventing the separation of said bodies, said means comprising an annular bead on one of said portions, and an annular groove on the other of said portions adapted to engage said annular head, said bead and groove being held-in engagement with each other by the resilient gripping action of said skirt portion.

FRANK W. HUDSON. 

